588 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In speaking of home amusements we all know in late years a great 

 change has come to the home life of the country, in the form of a 

 great many games of skill and chance whicn are being played n our 

 homes today, which were not known, or if known were forbidden by 

 parents years ago. We know that chess of late years has captured for 

 itself a high regard in popular regard. It speaks well for a people when 

 an intellectual game can become popular. It takes brains to play chess 

 even moderately well, and none but thoughtful and clever people would 

 ever like it. 



Checkers have fought their way into high life and whereas they 

 once found their friends in the village tavern and in the farmer's 

 kitchen they are now admitted into the parlors of the wealthy and re- 

 fined. The games played with historical cards are also numerous, and 

 many of them pleasantly exciting, and you find them in almost every 

 household. 



Now, all this is very pleasant and hopeful. It reveals to the thinker 

 the fact that home life is more vivacious and happy than it used to be; 

 that the long, dull evenings are being enlivened with stimulating amuse- 

 ments, and that the home circle now has attractions which at one time 

 it sadly lacked. Xhese games are helping to make the homes of the 

 country happier; helping to make the children more contented with 

 their homes, and in doing this they are helping to make the country- 

 more intelligent and more virtuous. By wise parents games are looked 

 upon as Godsends. They help solve the problem of home amusements 

 and recreation; and this, as all parents know, is one of the greatest 

 problems they have tb solve. 



Parents, make your homes as happy as you possibly can for your 

 children and their mates. Fill them wit hfun and frolic, and the cheer- 

 fulness of spirited social life. Play the games with your children and 

 share their joys with them. 



A great many homes are like the frame of a harp that stands with- 

 out strings. In form and outline they suggest music, but no melody 

 rises from the empty spaces, and thus it happens that home is unat- 

 tractive, dreary and dull. 



Let us hope that the pleasant games which try the wit and patience 

 of the children and of the older ones as well, may become the fashion 

 of the times until every home in the land shall be perfectly furnished 

 with these accessories of profit and pleasure. For the children's sake 

 let the reformation go on until every child shall have in his father's 

 house, be it humble or costly, such appliances for his entertainment that 

 he shall find joy and amusement under his father's roof and in his 

 father's presence. '"Home, home, sweet, sweet home. Be it ever so hum- 

 ble, there is no place like home." 



Speaking of home amusements, the best is the good old habit of 

 conversation. Talking over the events of the day, in bright and quick 

 play of wit and fancy, the story which brings the laugh, and speaking 

 of the good and kind and true things which all have in their hearts. 

 It is not so much by dwelling upon what members of the family have in 

 common, as bringing each to the other something interesting and amus- 



